Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Butterflies are Free
Zinnias are attracting butterflies in Ellen Ferrera’s Sullivan garden on warm sunny days, but as the days grow shorter so do the opportunities for these butterflies to be free.
Butterflies are Free
ADM Cares Gives to SMS
Photo furnished
ADM Cares Gives to SMS
ADM Cares recently awarded a $5,000.00 grant to Sullivan Middle School for STEM curriculum resources. Students will spend time working collaboratively to solve problems that involve science, technology, engineering and math. Pictured are SMS STEM recipients John Bertetto, Troy Rogers, Nicole Garrett and Micah Heddins with ADM representative and Sullivan School Board member Erik Stollard.
SCED Future Explored During Special Council Meeting
•August 22, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development and its future was discussed in a special city council session at Titus Library.
With about 50 people attending the 5:00 p.m. August 20 session the changing role of the Chamber in order to meet the changing needs of the city was front and center.
As background, Mayor Ann Short explained economic development was placed with the Chamber with an ordinance approved in 2015. The mayor went on to explain the city funding source of $70,000 annually expires along with the TIF districts in May 2019.
Commissioner Jerry Risley pointed out Excecutive Director Laurrie Minor is stretched in many directions, balancing duties of a Chamber that has grown to include 220 members along with Economic Development and Tourism responsibilities. “One change is that we now have a city administrator,” Risley added. Read More
Little Theatre Ends Season With Hilarious “Noises Off”
•August 22, 2018•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Years ago, the main goal of vaudeville performers was to “always leave them laughing” and the opening night’s audience of “Noises off” was absolutely convulsed in laughter by play’s end.
The sight of Luke Rose hopping up a flight of stairs with his pants down to his ankles will forever haunt my memories.
“Noises Off” is a play within a play of a sex farce entitled “Nothing On”. Imagine a Carol Burnett skit where everyone blows their lines, and the whole thing comes unglued. Then imagine that skit as directed by the brilliantly mischievous Therese Kincaide to its hilarious extreme and you have some idea of the comic catastrophe about to unfold on stage.
The play opens on a frantic dress rehearsal where the harried and sarcastic director, Lloyd Dallas, is desperately trying to coax a performance from his mediocre actors who not only lack talent but are beset by personal problems that will derail the play. Read More
Bus Stop
Photo by Mike Brothers
Bus Stop
Schools all over Moultrie County are back in session. During this busy time of finding classes, getting to classes and getting to school it is important to remember students are getting on and off buses and drivers around the schools and buses should use extreme caution as the cargo is precious.
Gypsy Soul Revival
Photo by Mike Brothers
Gypsy Soul Revival
Gypsy Soul Revival is now open at 101 Jefferson St. in Sullivan, occupying the same building as the new Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development office. The building is being restored by Quality Network Services owner Mel Workman and the main floor includes space for Darby Berry’s Gypsy Soul, which features 15 local artisans’ works under one roof. Berry is open Tuesday through Friday 11-5 and Saturdays 10-3. Berry opened August 11 in the new location and is welcomed above by Chamber Executive Director Laurrie Minor. The Chamber office and a small business incubator are also located in the building.
Sullivan Community Garden Grows More Than Vegetables
Photo furnished.
In addition to help from school staff and the community students got to see how the community garden grew. Student gardeners from left: Addy and Asher Hendry, Zaden Hissong, Aubrey and Alex Fultz, and Nora Becker.
•August 15, 2018•
By Turnip Sprout
for the News Progress
Starting a garden on school property began as a way to show city kids where vegetables come from, but it ended up yielding more than produce.
Sullivan Elementary School fourth grade teacher Nichole Hendry had wanted a garden at school for some time, and this year possibility became reality.
“At the end of winter we planted some seeds and placed them in the windows of the classroom,” Hendry recalled how the project sprouted.
When her students saw the plants developed, they pushed her toward finding a way to plant a garden.
“From the start the students wanted to raise vegetables to donate to the Food Pantry,” she continued, noting approval to replace one of two prairie garden plots with the vegetable garden opened the door.
With a lot of help from students, school staff, teachers and volunteers from the community the garden started developing. Read More
Relay For Life Defies Rain
•August 15, 2018•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress
A sudden rain squall overturned tents and sent people scurrying for cover just as the Relay for Life was set to begin Friday evening at 5 p.m.
The event was delayed an hour before the skies cleared, but the cooler temperatures prevailed for the resilient participants.
This year’s goal is $50,000 and by Relay time nearly $26,000 had been raised. An additional $17,000 raised since the Relay has put MCRL within reach.
“If we reach our goal by August 31, we will receive national recognition,” staff coordinator Tony Holly announced, noting few attain that.
Donations to the American Cancer Society are welcome and still being received for the Moultrie County Relay for Life.
Adam McReynolds, Moultrie Country Relay Coordinator, opened the ceremonies and the Boy Scouts presented the flag. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the high school Sullivan Singers sang the national anthem. Read More
Middle School Grows
Middle School Grows
This is the inaugural year for the new middle school classroom configuration. Over the summer the fifth grade class was moved into the original high school building enlarging the middle school to include fifth through eighth grades. The move made more space for a crowded elementary school and created excitement for the first fifth grade class included in Sullivan Middle School. Above sixth grader James Hauser and incoming fifth grader Frank Mirocha were excited to check out the next level before high school. Middle School principal Nathan Ogle said it was good to have the classrooms of the building filled with students. Supt. Ted Walk was stationed at Sullivan Elementary School where first through fourth graders were being “High Fived” by principal Dan Allen.
Governor Rauner Attends Sullivan Marina Gathering
Photo by Mike Brothers
Governor Visits Sullivan Marina
Governor Bruce Rauner attended the Moultrie County Republican party Votes, Boats and Grub candidate gathering at the NorthEnd Pub, August 13. Among candidates attending were: front from left- State’s Attorney candidate Tracy Weaver, Circuit Clerk candidate Christa Helmuth, County board candidate Arlene Aschermann, Regional Supt. of Schools candidate Kyle Thompson, County board candidate Todd Maxedon; second row: County Chairman Dave McCabe, Circuit judge candidates Randy Rosenbaum and Roger Webber, County Treasurer candidate Stephanie Helmuth, Governor Bruce Rauner, County board candidate Tyler Graven, County board candidate Billy Voyles; back row: County board candidate Neil Bryan, State Rep. Brad Holbrook, Resident Circuit judge candidate Jeremy Richey and Sheriff Chris Sims.
•August 15, 2018•
Governor Bruce Rauner visited the Moultrie County Republican Central Committee candidate’s gathering at NorthEnd Pub and Grill at Sullivan Marina Monday, August 13.
Gov. Rauner pointed out that Central Committee Chair Dave McCabe and the Moultrie County Republican party are a passionate organization dedicated to party values and giving back to the community.
Before a crowd of 75 the governor emphasized his campaign pledge to work for term limits and replace Michael Madigan as leader of the State House of Representatives.
Gov. Rauner illustrated his commitment to helping pick up the nine seats needed to gain control in the state house. He is donating $50 million of his own money to the party to help elect Republicans statewide such as Attorney General candidate Erika Harold.
Citing a growing state immigration problem, he endorsed E-Verify, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees, both U.S. or foreign citizens, to work in the United States.
The governor indicated his resistance to raising income taxes and emphasized his support for the second amendment.
He urged Moultrie County to get the vote out. “This election is for all the marbles,” he said, explaining he needed to spend the next 90 days in Chicago suburbs where he contends for six million votes.